Create a safe switch that will trip RCD

Dean Longstaff · May 2, 2016

So hi everyone, i have alot of electrical items in my room upstairs. And if anything were to fail i would like a switch that would turn everything in the house off. If i were to have a red emergency stop button (normally open) and connect it to a plug so that the ground wire and neutral connect when the button is pressed, would this trip the RCD in the fuse box? Also would it be safe? If not is there any safe ways of doing this? Thanks

DuaneMHunt1976 · May 2, 2016

Just put a emergency stop switch before the wiring coming in the room

Work benches and workshops have a emergency button
I guess it's 2P2T normally closed switch

Dean Longstaff · May 2, 2016

DuaneMHunt1976 said:
Just put a emergency stop switch before the wiring coming in the room

Hi, i know that this would be a more practical solution, but i would rather have the RCD trip the whole home. Would that way i said work? It would be easier to wire also.

DuaneMHunt1976 · May 2, 2016

Mm sounds like you are trying RCD tripper... I don't think should talk about this as people will try and trip the RCD at work or in shopping
Could trip the RCD with computers hooked up.. If you wanted

davesparks · May 2, 2016

It might work some of the time, but there is no guarantee that it will work. And you would want to guarantee the operation of an emergency stop.

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Dean Longstaff · May 2, 2016

Okay, so if i didnt work, or if it did work is it still safe connecting neutral wire to earth wire?

DuaneMHunt1976 · May 2, 2016

The. Neutral and earth are the same thing at some point in the system
This is a very leading questions

What's the real.reason your RCD.keeps tripping

Dean Longstaff · May 2, 2016

My RCD is fine, but i would like to make a switch upstairs that would break the circuit (trip the RCD)

DuaneMHunt1976 · May 3, 2016

Right No don't use a RCD as an emergency stop
It wasn't meant for that.. It's stupid thing to even suggest
It is protection not to be miss used

Dean Longstaff · May 3, 2016

Okay. Well it worked when i made a plug connecting neutral and ground before. Just wondering if it were safe.

davesparks · May 3, 2016

Dean Longstaff said:
Okay, so if i didnt work, or if it did work is it still safe connecting neutral wire to earth wire?

Generally it is not a sensible or safe thing to do. If the RCD is working correctly then it will detect this fault and operate before it becomes dangerous, but RCDs aren't the most reliable of devices so you may get in to a situation where you are introducing a potentially dangerous fault and making the situation worse.

What exactly is it that makes you think an emergency stop is needed?

DuaneMHunt1976 · May 3, 2016

No its no safe, keep upsetting the RCD at one point it will die
All sorts of things can happen blowing.. Contacts can weld together and be always open

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00LY1CAM0/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1462230386&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=rcd+tester

Note flesh melts like candle wax and finger prints don't grow back

davesparks · May 3, 2016

DuaneMHunt1976 said:
No its no safe, keep upsetting the RCD at one point it will die
All sorts of things can happen blowing.. Contacts can weld together and be always open

https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/d/B00LY1CAM0/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1462230386&sr=8-1&pi=AC_SX236_SY340_FMwebp_QL65&keywords=rcd+tester

Note flesh melts like candle wax and finger prints don't grow back

Does that come with a translation into English?

Wes1000 · May 3, 2016

"So hi everyone, i have alot of electrical items in my room upstairs. And if anything were to fail i would like a switch that would turn everything in the house off."

I think the item you are thinking of is a consumer unit.